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When do you plant corn seeds


for a bumper harvest of family favorite |

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Once you know when to plant corn, you’ll be able to grow and enjoy a fresh crop from your own vegetable garden. Corn has been harvested in North America for over 4000 years, making it a true American icon in the vegetable world.

Full of Vitamin C, corn is a delicious and healthy addition to any dinner plate, and is a firm family favorite – even veg averse children will happily tuck into a plate of the sweet, juicy kernels. It’s really easy to learn how to grow corn, too, making it a must-have addition to the vegetable patch.

When to plant corn – from seed indoors

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If you are planning to start your corn seeds indoors as part of your vegetable garden ideas, the best time to plant them is about 2 weeks before your last frost date – which will differ depending on where you live, and could be as early as the start of April to as late as the end of May.

Corn is a tender, warm season annual and needs a soil temperature of about 60°F (15°C) in order to grow well. Starting the plants indoors on a sunny windowsill, or as one of the crops on your list when planning a greenhouse, is a great way to get a head start.

Don’t forget that if you plant corn seedlings indoors, they 'will need to be hardened off to outdoor conditions before transplanting, after the threat of frost has passed,' advises Philadelphia based Allison Sidhu of the Gardener’s Path .

When to plant corn – from seed outdoors

(Image credit: Kitchen Garden Hawkstone Hall)

When thinking about when to plant corn, your specific climate has to be taken into account. 

'In the South of the US, seeds may be sown outdoors in May. In other parts of the country, sow  seeds in the cold frame or under a cloche in early May,' advises Frederick Leeth, writer for the Backyard Gardener . 

It’s important to check your exact USDA hardiness zone and to take the weather into consideration before sowing. Be sure to make sure your average temperatures in early spring aren’t continuously below 60°F (15°C) as your corn seeds may struggle to germinate in colder conditions.

'The risk of all frost has usually already passed by May so it is generally safe to plant corn outside,' explains Mr Mitford, kitchen gardener at Hawkstone Hall

'To help improve the germination rate of your seeds and to speed germination along, soak them overnight in tepid water before planting,' advises Allison Sidhu. 

Corn is sown in blocks because the plants are pollinated by the wind. They should be sown in a 'sunny position, and provide a windbreak for areas exposed to strong winds,' advises Frederick.

(Image credit: A&J Swithinbank Limited)

What is the best month to plant corn?

The best month to plant corn will depend on your USDA plant hardiness zone and your local climate.

As a general rule, 'sweet corn seeds can be planted outdoors two to three weeks after the last average frost date in your area, or started indoors about two weeks before your last average frost date in the spring,' Advises Allison.  

Plan plant your corn seeds along with other warm season crops, such as zucchini or  pumpkins, as part of your vegetable calendar.

If you are starting your seedlings before the last frost, be sure to keep them protected in a greenhouse or with a cloche. 

(Image credit: Alamy images)

What is the latest date to plant corn?

The latest date to plant corn will largely depend on the variety you are growing. There are early, midseason and late cultivars that can be planted at different times. When to harvest corn? Some varieties of corn are ready to harvest within two months of planting, whereas others take closer to three. When planning when to plant corn the growing period needs to be factored in to the timings. 

The latest possible time for planting corn will depend on your specific growing zone, but look to get plants in the ground by at least mid-summer to give the plant enough time in the sunshine to grow strong. 

Be sure that the risk of frost has passed before being tempted to sow directly outdoors, and companion planting alongside beneficial crops will help achieve a healthy harvest.

'You do not want to plant different corn together, as the crop will turn out bad,' warns Holli Schippers from Sunnyside Nursery . Try to keep the same varieties together when planting out corn. 

Emma received the keys to her first allotment plot in 2019 and has been documenting her progress on Youtube and Instagram ever since. As the allotment grew, so did her love of gardening and her follower count. Emma has a passion for writing and has contributed articles to Kitchen Garden magazine and Life lovers magazine, as well as starting her own blog – the pink shed . 

Growing food has become one of her biggest passions and she enjoys sharing her trials and errors with her audience in a funny, honest and informative way.

When to Plant Corn - Planting Guide 2022

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The adventure involved with planting corn is one you would definitely love to embark on as a home gardener. Corn can be grown in any climatic condition because of its varying types.

However, corn is highly susceptible to frost and will not germinate properly in the cold weather. Therefore it is best to plant it two to three weeks after the last frost of spring.

Here are the different climatic conditions and when to grow corn in their regions.

Tropical Climate

Parts of the world that experience the tropical climatic condition usually plant corn during the warm time of the year. The tropical climate is characterized by a monthly temperature of about 18⁰C.

This gives the tropics an advantage of growing corn all year round except in December because the corn plant needs a temperature of between 15⁰C to 35⁰C to grow into a healthy plant.

Temperate Climate

The regions with temperate climatic conditions are often advised to plant corn after the risk of frost. Planting season for corn starts in September and ends in January for these regions.

If you are a home gardener in this region hoping to have a bountiful harvest of corn, then wait to plant your corn from September all through October, November, December and January.

These months are the best months to plant corn in areas with temperate climate.

Dry Climate

Achieving a successful planting season for the corn plant in dry climate is usually an uneasy venture. However, it can be done. All you need is to ensure that you have a good irrigation system and proceed with planting the seeds before the onset of the dry climate.

Sowing your seeds before the weather gets too harsh will ensure that the seed germinates before the dry weather conditions renders the seed unviable.

Therefore, check your and ensure to plant before the harsh conditions of the dry climate sets in or negatively affects your corn seeds.

Continental Climate

The continental climate has its warmest times in July or August. Fortunately, the temperature during these months are about 22°C. This is the best time to cultivate corn in this region.

Polar Climate

Planting corn in a cold soil inhibits it’s germination. Although, you could wait for the period when the temperature is warmer in your region to begin planting but the chances of corn survival including the cold-tolerant varieties are low.

Choosing Corn Seeds

Before you plant corn, you must have settled with the varieties and hybrids that best suits you. Making that choice can be quite tasking.

However, the following factors will help you to narrow down these hybrids and make the best choice of corn seeds to plant.

Factors to consider while choosing corn seeds:

Choosing corn seeds with high germination rate must be your priority when choosing corn seeds. High quality corn seeds usually have germination rate as high as 98% and above.

The quality of corn seeds partially depends on how healthy the parent plant is and how careful the seeds were picked, dried and sorted. Never go for corn seeds that were grown under bad climate.

Seeds that have undergone weather stress due to dry climate or too wet soil conditions do not give a good harvest.

Climatic Conditions

The importance of choosing corn seeds that are best suited to your climatic conditions cannot be overemphasized.

Ensure to study your climatic conditions and check which varieties of corn survives best in that condition before making a choice of corn seeds to grow.

Soil Temperature

The climatic conditions might be right for that corn seed you have always wanted to grow but the soil conditions may not sit right with your seed. Remember the soil must not be too wet, too dry, and too hot.

Corn survives in warm conditions of temperature between 15⁰C to 35⁰C. Any temperature slightly above or below this range might damage your corn seed.

You can always check your soil temperature first with a soil thermometer in preparation for your choice of corn seeds to grow.

Yield and Yield Consistency

Ensuring you pick various hybrids for your farm is important but the most important factor to consider is the seed’s yield and how consistent this yield is.

Look for corn seeds with high yield, performance, and yield consistency year in and year out despite the location. Regardless of the planting and growing practices you use to ensure you have a high yield, if you didn’t choose corn varieties with consistent high yields, you will not have the best yield.

Check multiple data sources of seed shops or farm that you are buying from to see their corn yield rate over a certain period of time.

Genetic Diversity

While choosing corn seeds for this planting season, ensure to go with a mix of varieties. Choosing a diverse mix of varieties will help in the reduction of the risks associated with the weakness of any variety.

Imagine choosing one variety of corn and finding out later that the variety you chose has certain weaknesses associated with it. You may end up having a bad yield that season.

But if you had gone for a mix of varieties, then you will manage the risks associated with any problems that an individual variety might bring.

Growing Degree Days

The Growing Degree Days (GDD) which is also known as maturation time is another important factor to put into consideration.

Choose corn seeds to suit a longer maturation time if you are growing your corn for silage but if you are growing for grain, you don’t have to choose seeds that have a long maturation time.

Here’s an exact way to measure the maturation time of your corn seeds:

Regardless of the accuracy of this measurement, your corn’s maturation can be slowed down by nutrient deficiency and unfavorable weather conditions such as drought, flood, too cold or too hot weather.

Growth can also be sped up by appropriate weather conditions throughout the growing season and optimum soil nutrition.

Desirable Nutrient Content

Most Corn varieties are low in the essential amino acids. These three essential amino acids are tryptophan, methionine and lysine.

If you are choosing corn seeds, ensure to choose seeds that have the desirable nutrients you wish to get from them for yourself and animals. Some corn seeds might have high concentration of these essential amino acids but have low yield and low germination rate while some others damage easily.

Therefore ensure to pick which seeds works best for you, nutrient-wise and otherwise.

Here are some special corn hybrid to be aware of include;

Open Pollinate Corn

One of the best hybrids containing a good balance of trace minerals.

High Sugar Corn

This is also known as sweet-stalk corn. It is good for silage but has low yield.

Upright-leaved Corn

This variety makes better use of light when planted closely in long rows.

Waxy Maize

This corn contains high amount of amylopectin starch.

High Oil Corn

This variety is great for fattening hogs.

White Corn

This corn variety is high in carbohydrates

Indian corn

This is also known as colored corn. This variety is high in minerals.

Yellow Corn

This has high amounts of Vitamin A.

Disease Tolerance

Check how tolerant the varieties you are going for are to disease. Some corn varieties are susceptible to disease and hardly survives disease attacks.

Scrutinize the corn varieties and always go with improved corn species that are known for their high disease-tolerance.

How To Grow Corn Seeds

The corn plant is a wonderful vegetable to add to your garden not just for your animals but for your desired kitchen dishes.

Sweet corn adds a different taste to salads and tastes even better as stand-alone foods and so is a must have for culinary purposes.

Corn is easy to grow; all you need is the best growing strategy and viable seeds.

How To Plant Corn

Apart from ensuring that you plant your corn seeds during the right planting season for corn in your aura, there are steps to ensure the best corn yield.

Here is a step by step guide of how to plant corn:

Steps to plant corn seeds

How To Water Corn

Your corn plant Needs about one inch of water every week especially when the corn starts producing tassels.

Overwatering your corn plant can cause its death. Therefore, water your corn until the soil is moist enough that if you place a finger an inch into the soil you can feel the moisture in the soil.

How long does it take to grow corn?

Growing corn takes 60-100 days before they get ready for harvest. The duration your corn plants take to reach harvest does not depend on whether or not you plant early.

However, this duration depends on knowing the right time to plant and how conducive the weather is for the corn.

You will know your corn is ready for harvest when the ears of corn turn dark green, the tassels turn brown, the corn kernels are plump, soft, and filled with a milky juice.

What is the best month to plant corn?

The best month to plant corn may differ because of the varying climatic conditions; however the best corn yields has been gotten with the planting dates ranging between April 5 and May 5.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it takes great care to grow corn as it is a fragile plant. However, if you have gone through this guide, then you are set for a bountiful harvest.

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How and when to plant corn in open ground with seeds: terms, rules, planting schemes

Corn grains are very tasty, nutritious and healthy, eating such a crop is a pleasure! To enjoy sugar (sweet) corn, it is not necessary to go to the store and buy canned product or cobs in season. After all, it is quite simple to grow it in your dacha or plot, corn does not require complex cultivation techniques.

Contents

When to plant corn seeds outdoors, in what month

This crop loves warmth and good lighting, so it is not recommended to rush and sow it too early. When is the best time to plant corn?

It is possible to sow only when the soil in the open field warms up to 12-14 degrees Celsius (the first 10 centimeters of the earth). If the earth does not warm up enough, then the seeds will germinate slowly, unevenly, many of them may not sprout, and they are also more affected by the wireworm.

An important criterion when choosing the time for the procedure is the risk of returning frosts, which can ruin your young shoots. Therefore, only can be sown after the risk of returning spring frosts has disappeared. Seedlings with real leaves can withstand negative temperatures of -2 degrees, but at lower t they will certainly die.

It is rather difficult to name the most favorable month and decade, because the climate in our country is very different (and therefore, heat comes at different times, as well as a different risk of return frosts). Conditionally, the following terms can be distinguished:

Pay attention! In the northern regions, it is better to sow corn first for seedlings, and then planted in open ground. Otherwise, there is a risk that the crop will not have time to ripen.0003

It is necessary to plant seedlings 1 month before planting plants in open ground. Therefore, choose the timing for sowing at home, based on the climatic conditions of your region.

Dates for planting corn according to the lunar calendar

The calendar according to the cycles of the moon has repeatedly come to the aid of summer residents in gardening. It is believed that if you perform this or that procedure at a certain time, you can achieve a better result. But there are also days when it is better to refuse to perform garden activities. So, we can distinguish the following corn planting dates according to the Lunar calendar 2022:

How to choose a good place to plant and grow corn

Choosing the right place to plant seed crops plays an important role in the successful cultivation of corn in the open field. Thanks to optimal conditions, suitable soil, favorable predecessors and neighbors, you can grow the most delicious crop.

Suitable site and soil criteria

Good full lighting is very important for photophilous corn. In the shade or partial shade, the taste and size of the cobs will leave much to be desired. nine0003

The crop does not tolerate waterlogged areas. Therefore, avoid places with a close occurrence of groundwater, lowlands in which moisture accumulates.

Corn will grow best in light, neutral, fertile soil.

Crop rotation: good and bad predecessors

In order to achieve maximum results and get a good harvest, it is recommended to pay attention to crop rotation when choosing a place (alternation of crops on the site). nine0003

What is the best time to plant corn? Good predecessors : gourds (eg cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, melon), cabbage, tomatoes, potatoes, cereals, green manure.

After which it is not recommended to plant a crop? Bad predecessors of are corn itself (sugar and fodder), millet.

Choosing neighbors in the garden

Growing corn is acceptable next to many crops. Especially it can be grown on the north side next to heat-loving crops that do not respond well to drafts and wind. nine0003

It is believed that the best neighborhood in the garden is corn and cucumbers. It is also good to plant a culture next to a pumpkin.

How to properly prepare the bed in the field for sowing corn

Before sowing corn seeds in open ground, it is necessary to prepare the bed. The preparation scheme is extremely simple: it is necessary to dig up the plot , while it is desirable to add fertilizer (this is all the more true if the soil is not fertile enough). nine0003

Digging is recommended to be carried out in autumn (in this case, it will be necessary to loosen the soil in autumn) or in spring 4-2 weeks before sowing corn. You need to dig the site on the bayonet of a shovel.

Mineral fertilizers are applied for digging. It is possible, according to the instructions, to make a complex fertilizer Nitroammophoska, which already contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. And you can add macronutrients separately, for example: Superphosphate (30 grams per square meter), Potassium sulfate (20 g per sq.m.), Ammonium nitrate (30 g per sq.m.). nine0003

Please note! If you are going to apply superphosphate, then you need to do this in the fall, because the substance needs time to become available to plants.

Adherents of organic farming can use organic matter instead of mineral fertilizers: compost or humus (they contain nitrogen) about 5 kilograms per 1 square meter, wood ash (contains potassium) 200 g per square meter, bone meal (phosphorus) 100 g per sq. m.

Tip! 1-2 weeks before sowing corn seeds, it is necessary to loosen the ground with a rake. After that, it is recommended to cover the bed with a film or agrofibre or make a greenhouse on arcs (due to this, the soil will warm up and the seeds will sprout faster after planting).

Preparing corn seeds for sowing

Please note! Corn seeds can be sown dry without pre-sowing treatment.

Any of the following treatments are optional and should be performed as desired. nine0003

However, preparing the seed for planting will improve germination (i.e. you will get friendly and fast shoots).

First of all, it is recommended to visually examine the seeds. All damaged, deformed specimens should be rejected .

Then it is recommended to carry out decontamination , the procedure will reduce the risk of disease. For disinfection, you can soak the seeds in Fitosporin solution (according to the instructions) or in Chlorhexidine 0.05% (30 minutes). After soaking, rinse them with clean water. nine0003

It is also possible to germinate corn seeds . The procedure significantly speeds up the emergence of seedlings, and also helps to immediately identify non-viable seeds (they simply will not germinate and they do not need to be sown). For germination, you need to put the seeds on cotton pads or cotton cloth, cover with the same material, moisten and put in a plastic bag, tie, leaving air. After that, you need to put the bag in a warm place (about 24-26 degrees Celsius). As a rule, germination takes 2-3 days. Instances that did not germinate in 3-4 days can be discarded. At the same time, when germinating, you need to check them every day, if mold has appeared, you need to immediately rinse and place them on a new fabric. nine0003

B Important! After the corn seeds germinate, you must immediately plant them in open ground!

Scheme of the correct planting of corn seeds in open ground preparation of beds, seed. nine0010
  • Then you need to make grooves 5 centimeters deep.

    • Corn must be planted in several rows , this is due to the fact that corn is pollinated by wind, and in order for the plants to pollinate well, they must grow in several rows.

    When planted in 1-2 rows they will pollinate poorly and produce many empty cobs . It is optimal to plant corn in 4 rows (and more than ). That is, for this culture, an ordinary sowing scheme is needed.

    At the same time, the optimal distance between rows is 50-60 centimeters. Distance between plants - 20-30 cm.

  • Plant corn. the distance between seeds should be 20-30 cm. the strongest plants at the specified distance. nine0010
  • Cover the top with earth and lightly compact by hand.
  • For better germination, cover the bed with foil or agrofibre (spunbond, lutrasil). Or you can make a greenhouse on arcs.

    • You can also plant in individual holes (20-30 cm apart), but they are more troublesome to make than furrows (especially if you have a lot of seeds).

    How to Care for Outdoor Corn: Growing Rules

    To get tasty, juicy, ripe ears, you need to pay enough attention to the care of outdoor corn. If you carry out all the activities for the care of plants in a timely manner, then you can achieve good results without any extra effort. Consider what actions should be taken. nine0003

    Loosening and removing weeds

    At the beginning of the cultivation of the crop, it is necessary to periodically loosen the soil (this should be done a few hours after watering), while the loosening depth is about 5 cm. It is important to prevent the appearance of an earthen crust that prevents the penetration of oxygen.

    Also, at the initial stages of development, weeds must be removed so that they do not shade young plants and do not take nutrients from the soil. nine0003

    Hilling

    An important element of maize care is hilling the plants. This should be done when the plants reach a height of 0.3-0.5 meters. The procedure stimulates the growth of additional surface roots, and also increases the resistance of plants to bad weather (wind, rain).

    Irrigation of corn

    The rate of watering of corn depends on the stage of plant development:

    • during the germination period, it is necessary to apply moisture moderately, it is necessary to maintain moderate soil moisture; nine0010
    • at the moment when the plant begins to throw panicles and bloom (that is, when the cobs are forming ) should be watered abundantly;
    • 14-21 days after flowering (when seeds are pouring) should be watered especially abundantly;
    • subsequent watering is very moderate.

    Stepping

    Stepping is an important point of care, that is, the procedure for removing side shoots (stepchildren) at the base of the stem. They take away the strength of the plant, and reduce the quantity and quality of the crop. Such side shoots are formed in the second half of summer. You need to remove them at the moment when they reach a length of about 15 centimeters, they can simply be broken off or cut off. nine0003

    Stimulation of pollination

    If the weather is calm and calm during flowering, then a manipulation can be performed to ensure that pollination occurs exactly. To do this, gently shake the plants with your hands in the morning.

    Corn feed

    Corn is very fond of top dressing. Micro and macro elements in a full amount will help plants grow normally to form good, tasty cobs.

    • The first feeding is done when 4 true leaves are formed. At this point, it is necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizers. From organic fertilizers, you can make a solution of mullein (diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 8) or chicken manure (1:11), or mineral, for example, urea, ammonium nitrate (according to instructions). nine0010
    • If you did not fertilize before planting and your soil is rather poor, you can fertilize with nitrogen again before flowering 2 weeks after the first.
    • Then fertilize 7-14 days before flowering. It is necessary to use potash and phosphate fertilizers. For example, superphosphate and potassium sulfite (be sure to dissolve fertilizers in warm water before use and apply them as a solution). Or is it better to use Nitroammophoska. Since the listed mineral fertilizers contain only macroelements, it is recommended to use additional microelements with them, for example, Humate + 7 or something else. nine0010

    Tip! If you don't want to spend time fertilizing with different fertilizers, you can immediately use a fertilizer that contains micro and macro elements, such as Fertika Lux.

    How and when to harvest corn

    If you want to eat corn fresh, it is advisable to harvest it when it is milky. At this point, the grains are still soft, and colored in a light yellow hue.

    Please note! Harvest of corn must first be plucked from above, and then move on to the lower cobs.

    If you are interested in growing a crop for the subsequent collection of seeds and for long-term storage, then you need to harvest only after full ripeness. You can determine the ripeness by the tip of the panicle, it should darken.

    Food corn can be stored in the freezer.

    How to plant corn: timing, cultivation features

    Published:

    How to plant corn: Unsplash/Steven Weeks

    Treating the family with boiled corn in the summer, preserving the ears for the winter - these are tasks that many housewives set for themselves. To get a high-quality crop crop, you need to determine the timing and choose an effective planting method. The advice of scientists from the Research Institute of Corn and experienced gardeners will help you properly plant and grow corn in the country. nine0050

    Peculiarities of planting corn

    In private farms, mainly sweet corn is planted. The culture is undemanding to the place of planting and growing conditions, but gardeners should pay attention to the rules for planting and caring for the plant.

    When to plant corn?

    Corn is a heat-loving plant, so throwing grains into the cold ground is not worth it. If planted early, the grains will become moldy and lose their germination or be damaged by wireworms. Taking into account the peculiarities of the climate, crops are carried out at the following times:

    • In regions where the ground warms up quickly in spring, corn is sown outdoors in April. Oktyabrina and Alexander Ganichkin, authors of the book “1000 Answers to the Most Important Questions about the Garden and the Garden”, claim that seedlings tolerate late frosts down to -3 ° C, and adult plants cannot withstand negative temperatures;
    • in areas with a cold long spring, sowing starts in May-June.

    To speed up the growing season and have time to harvest in a cold region, summer residents plant corn seeds for seedlings 30 days before the intended planting in the ground. In the northern latitudes, seedlings are planted in May in order to move seedlings from pots to an open bed by mid-June. nine0003 Corn seed for planting: Unsplash/Pierre Bamin

    Methods for planting maize

    Maize is grown by sowing seeds for seedlings and outdoors. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages:

    1. Seedling method. The technology is suitable for regions with a harsh climate. Corn grains planted in fertile soil germinate in 5-6 days. Seedlings will be ready for planting in the garden in 3-4 weeks. Before planting in the ground, the seedlings are hardened for a week and planted in the ground warmed up to +14 ° C. Seedlings are placed at the right distance, excluding thickening of plantings. The disadvantages of this are labor costs and time. nine0010
    2. Sowing seeds into the ground. Used in areas with warm climates. Seeds are sown without soaking if the ground is moist and warm. Shoots will appear in 2 weeks and immediately go to growth. Crops will have to be thinned out and covered with agrofibre if there is a threat of frost.

    How to prepare for planting corn

    To grow a large crop of sweet corn on the site, follow the agrotechnical rules:

    1. Choose zoned corn varieties that are resistant to diseases and drought, as recommended in an article led by Vladimir Sotchenko, employees of the All-Russian Research Institute of Corn. nine0010
    2. Find a suitable location on the property. Corn prefers lighted places with low groundwater levels and good water flow. The acidity of the soil should not fall below 5 pH, otherwise the plant will wither.
    3. Dig up the soil in the area 2 times in autumn and spring 30 days before planting.
    4. Apply nitroammophoska (30 g per 1 m²) to the soil in spring and disinfect the soil with special solutions.
    5. Cover the bed with insulation to keep warm. nine0010
    6. Vegetable crops, watermelons, melons, potatoes and siderats will be the best predecessors of corn. Do not plant crops year after year in the same place.
    7. Plant in wide rows (at least 3-4 rows) to avoid pollination problems. In single plantings, a large number of empty cobs will appear.
    Wide-row corn planting method: Unsplash/henry perks

    General rules for planting and caring for corn

    Maize will yield even under adverse weather conditions if the cultivation rules are followed. nine0003

    How to plant seedlings and seeds of corn in open ground

    Plant seedlings of corn or seeds in an open bed, adhering to a linear or square-nested planting pattern in several rows, as Galina Kizima, a well-known gardener, advises in The Big Book of a Smart Summer Resident.

    How far apart should corn be planted? Maintain a distance of 30 cm between individual plants, and 50–70 cm between rows. How to plant corn in the country? When sowing seeds in open ground, follow these rules:

    1. Calibrate seed, select clean and undamaged. Disinfect the seeds by dipping for 30 minutes in a light solution of potassium permanganate or phytosporin.
    2. Germinate seeds on a damp cloth for 2-3 days at 23-28°C.
    3. Make holes in the bed 4-5 cm deep in several rows. Pour the wells with water and wait until the moisture is absorbed.
    4. Place 3-4 seeds into the holes to remove the weakest sprouts after emergence.
    5. Sprinkle the seeds with earth and lightly tamp, water.
    6. Stretch agrofibre over crops to protect seedlings from temperature changes.

    The first shoots will appear in a couple of weeks. The growth of seedlings accelerates in the phase of formation of the first true leaves. Then growth slows down, as the plant directs all its forces to the formation and development of cobs.

    Plant corn seedlings in the same way, when 4-5 leaves are formed on the seedlings. Place each seedling in the hole in a transshipment manner. Bury the root collar into the ground to grow additional roots from each node. nine0003 The first shoots of corn: Unsplash/Roman Synkevych

    How to care for corn after planting in the ground

    In order for corn to grow and form large cobs, careful watering, top dressing, loosening and weeding will be required. Corn has enemies, so pest control is necessary.

    Care for corn beds as follows:

    • Watering. A drought-resistant crop requires abundant watering during the emergence of seedlings, at the time of throwing panicles and the formation of cobs, during the pouring of grains (2-3 weeks after flowering). Water the beds under the root in the evening, using settled warm water. nine0010
    • Loosening and weeding. From the moment the first seedlings appear, weed the row-spacings. Thin out seedlings after the formation of true leaves, leaving one plant per hole. Weed the seedlings planted in the ground a week after planting, so that the roots have time to strengthen in the ground. When the corn rises to 0.5 m, pile it up on all sides for stability and the formation of additional roots.
    • Pasynkovanie and pollination. For an early harvest of sweet corn, remove side shoots (stepchildren) from the main stem. To ensure pollination of plants, shake the corn panicles during the flowering period. Perform the procedure in the early morning in calm weather. nine0010
    • Top dressing. The first feeding at the stage of formation of 2-4 true leaves is carried out with nitrogen-containing substances - infusion of mullein (1:10) or bird droppings (1:20), ammonium nitrate or urea. 1-2 weeks before flowering, apply potassium monophosphate or wood ash under the root.
    • Protection against diseases and pests. To preserve green mass and future harvest, treat corn with fungicidal and insecticidal preparations at the first sign of disease (seed mold, blister smut, root and stem rot, fusarium, gray rot) or pest invasion (aphid, wireworm, lingering weevil, cutworm, corn butterfly , swedish fly).

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